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Determining The Influence Of Broadcast Visuals And Messages On The Public’S Perceptions And Intent To Shelter In Tornado Warnings, Kristina Marie Balentine May 2024

Determining The Influence Of Broadcast Visuals And Messages On The Public’S Perceptions And Intent To Shelter In Tornado Warnings, Kristina Marie Balentine

Theses and Dissertations

Tornado warnings are life-threatening situations, and since the public uses television as the main source for tornado warning information, it is important to know how different visuals and messages are influencing the opinions and intentions of people. This research found that participants were more apt to say they would shelter if they were shown a tornado video than a radar video displaying storm-relative velocity or correlation coefficient, while seeing the tornado brought out a heightened level of anxiety and fear. Participants were most influenced by a call-to-action statement spoken by the meteorologist. Participants expressed negative feelings after being asked to …


Jackson, Mississippi Food Security Efforts: Understanding The Current And Future Foodscape, Natalie Rosemary Bowers May 2024

Jackson, Mississippi Food Security Efforts: Understanding The Current And Future Foodscape, Natalie Rosemary Bowers

Theses and Dissertations

In Jackson, Mississippi, basic needs like access to food and water are critical issues. This research reveals efforts and actors working to improve food access within Jackson’s foodscape. This study uses interview and mapping methodologies, which unearth the challenges and opportunities for food efforts in Jackson. Current food work is analyzed through a cultural lens – How is the work influenced by the unique conditions and aspects of Jackson? – and a temporal lens – How does time impact access? What are historic changes and future visions for Jackson? These investigations contribute to opportunities for developing sustainable food systems, determining …


Who’S To Blame? A Website Content Analysis Of Victimization Prevention Messaging At Pwis And Hbcus, Madeline Brock May 2024

Who’S To Blame? A Website Content Analysis Of Victimization Prevention Messaging At Pwis And Hbcus, Madeline Brock

Theses and Dissertations

Over the past several decades, the victimization of women on college campuses has not decreased despite an uptick in research and concern surrounding the topic. In this study, I analyzed the victimization prevention messages on the websites of 30 4-year PWIs and 30 4-year HBCUs in the Southeastern United States to investigate how they contextualized such messages. Drawing on a comparative thematic analysis of 132 documents from HBCUs and 138 documents from PWIs, I elaborate on four key themes, with several subthemes: gendered safety messages, rape culture education, racialized safety messages, and collective responsibility. I found that victimization prevention messaging …


The Impact Of Academic Advising On Persistence In Nontraditional Students Completing A Baccalaureate Degree Online, Kali M. Dunlap May 2024

The Impact Of Academic Advising On Persistence In Nontraditional Students Completing A Baccalaureate Degree Online, Kali M. Dunlap

Theses and Dissertations

The increasing enrollment of nontraditional students in online degree programs has underscored the importance of effective academic advising practices. These students, often over the age of 25 and juggling full-time employment and family responsibilities, encounter unique challenges in navigating the asynchronous, online learning environment. Academic advisors play a pivotal role in mitigating these obstacles by fostering trust and delivering comprehensive support systems tailored to the needs of online learners. While previous studies have explored various advising models and approaches in connection with student satisfaction, inadequate attention has been given to assessing the quality of advising specifically tailored to nontraditional, online …


Effects Of Subconjunctival Ropivacaine, Tetracaine, Mepivacaine, And Liposomal Bupivacaine On Corneal Sensitivity In Healthy Horses, Gabriel Alexander Gonzalez May 2024

Effects Of Subconjunctival Ropivacaine, Tetracaine, Mepivacaine, And Liposomal Bupivacaine On Corneal Sensitivity In Healthy Horses, Gabriel Alexander Gonzalez

Theses and Dissertations

Corneal sensitivity and adverse events following subconjunctival administration of three local anesthetics in twelve mares were evaluated. The subconjunctival space of the treated eye was injected with 0.2 mL of mepivacaine (2%), ropivacaine (1.3%) and liposomal bupivacaine (1.3%). All horses received each medication once and the contralateral eye received saline. The corneal touch threshold (CTT) was measured using a esthesiometer before sedation, after sedation, and at specified intervals until it returned to baseline. The mean total time of anesthesia (TTA) was 168.3 minutes for ropivacaine, 169.2 minutes for liposomal bupivacaine, 103.3 minutes for mepivacaine and 30.7 minutes for control. The …


Feasibility And Effectiveness Of Physical Activity Program In People With Down Syndrome Using Self Determination Theory, Maria Haider May 2024

Feasibility And Effectiveness Of Physical Activity Program In People With Down Syndrome Using Self Determination Theory, Maria Haider

Theses and Dissertations

Autonomous physical activity (PA) is challenging for adults with Down syndrome (DS) therefore PA programs tailored around facilitators of PA in individuals with Down syndrome (DS) that also align with Self-determination theory (SDT) components could be a feasible and effective way of increasing PA. The purpose was to assess the feasibility and effectiveness of a physical activity program based on self-determination theory in adults with Down syndrome. A dance program was conducted twice a week for 8 weeks. Each session was 60 minutes long. Adults with DS (n = 8) were tested before and after intervention for basic psychological needs …


Improving Cultural Safety: A Thematic Analysis Of Older Rural African Americans’ Experiences With The U.S. Healthcare System, Sarah Marie Israel May 2024

Improving Cultural Safety: A Thematic Analysis Of Older Rural African Americans’ Experiences With The U.S. Healthcare System, Sarah Marie Israel

Theses and Dissertations

Despite an increase in research regarding the healthcare outcomes and experiences of diverse groups, some significant gaps in the literature remain. Among the most understudied and underserved groups are those with intersectional identities. Although researchers have made significant efforts to increase research regarding health care experiences of people of color, older adults, and rural populations, less is known about the health care experiences of older rural African Americans. Due to the lack of research focusing on the unique experiences of this intersectional group, qualitative research was an important first step towards broadening this research base. This study utilized a cultural …


Socioeconomic Status And Rural Community College Students’ Academic Outcomes, Robert Jason Kelly May 2024

Socioeconomic Status And Rural Community College Students’ Academic Outcomes, Robert Jason Kelly

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this quantitative research study was to determine if differences exist in academic achievement based on student SES as measured by grade point average (GPA), credit hours earned, and completion of the academic year for rural community college students enrolled during the 2018-19 academic year. The study used existing data from a multi-campus rural community college located in the Southeastern region of the United States. To answer the research questions, existing data were collected from this community college. The independent variable collected was SES, as measured by Pell grant eligibility. The dependent variables collected included GPA, credit hours, …


Exploring Homeschool Parents’ Willingness To Incorporate Agriculture Into Curriculum: Parental Perceptions Of Teaching Agricultural Education., Allyson Moore May 2024

Exploring Homeschool Parents’ Willingness To Incorporate Agriculture Into Curriculum: Parental Perceptions Of Teaching Agricultural Education., Allyson Moore

Theses and Dissertations

Students in public and private schools have a greater opportunity to receive access to agriculture education, yet there is a group of students who are being left behind in the opportunity to receive agriculture literacy. Many students do not have access to agriculture education, yet there is a strong urge for graduates with agricultural degrees. There is a lack of research in homeschooled students receiving agriculture curriculum in their studies. As the population continues to steadily grow, the need for agriculturally literate consumers has increased. Promoting students' ability to receive agriculture curriculum will build agriculture literacy within the education system. …


Submissive Natures, Subversive Acts: Power, Prescriptive Literature, And The Female Voice In Shakespeare’S Comedies, Joseph N. Newell May 2024

Submissive Natures, Subversive Acts: Power, Prescriptive Literature, And The Female Voice In Shakespeare’S Comedies, Joseph N. Newell

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis explores prescriptive literature and conduct books, specifically The Book of Homilies, and how these prescriptions manifest in Shakespeare’s work. This text examines the depictions of marital relationships and argues that the actions of husbands in two of Shakespeare’s comedies, The Taming of the Shrew and The Merchant of Venice, deviate from prescriptive ideals that homilies deem proper for the husband-and-wife relationship. Through the combination of new historicism and gender criticism, this thesis suggests that Katherine and Portia use submission to gain agency in moments when they seem to have none while showing that the men do not fulfill …


Waste Separation And Perceptions Of Environmental Health In A College Student Population, Anna Foster Nickels May 2024

Waste Separation And Perceptions Of Environmental Health In A College Student Population, Anna Foster Nickels

Theses and Dissertations

Florists must analyze business practices to become environmentally savvy. This study investigated whether the introduction of sustainable waste practices into a college floral design course influenced the student’s perception of environmental health. Two groups of students enrolled in the basic floral design course at Mississippi State University completed a survey on environmental health at the start and end of the semester. One group sorted their lab wastes into compostable and landfill material. Results indicated students who separated their floral waste maintained the same level of environmental concern throughout the testing period while the environmental health scores of those who did …


Tummysafe: The Influence Of Student Engagement And Demographic Variables On Certification Exam Performance In An Online Food Safety Course, Lauren Colby Nickels May 2024

Tummysafe: The Influence Of Student Engagement And Demographic Variables On Certification Exam Performance In An Online Food Safety Course, Lauren Colby Nickels

Theses and Dissertations

This study was conducted to see if the engagement variables from the TummySafe 2022 online course as well as the participants’ demographic variables were positively correlated with the TummySafe certification exam score. The study examined factors that explained participants’ exam performance. The results indicated that there was little to no correlation between demographics or engagement variables and the certification exam score. Findings indicated that 22.8% of the overall variance in certification exam performance was explained by number of prior certifications (10%), race (6.5%), gender (3.5%), ethnicity (.2%), days between last course activity and exam (1.7%), in-course assessment (1%), total activity …


Collectors Versus Non-Collectors With Hoarding Symptoms, Caitlyn A. Nix May 2024

Collectors Versus Non-Collectors With Hoarding Symptoms, Caitlyn A. Nix

Theses and Dissertations

Research assessing the diagnostic criteria for hoarding disorder has firmly differentiated hoarding disorder from normative collecting. However, there has been no examination of non-normative collecting – that is, collectors that experience elevated hoarding symptoms. The current study utilized an online survey to explore differences between self-identified collectors (n = 140) and non-collectors (n = 169) in externalized hoarding symptoms, saving cognitions, and psychosocial functioning. Collectors reported higher general self-efficacy and higher need for control of items than non-collectors. Hoarding symptoms were not significantly different between collectors and non-collectors. These results suggest that identifying as a collector does not significantly change …


Diet Quality, Food Insecurity, And Periodontal Disease In Hispanic Men In The United States, Bennett R. Pope May 2024

Diet Quality, Food Insecurity, And Periodontal Disease In Hispanic Men In The United States, Bennett R. Pope

Theses and Dissertations

Food insecurity, poor diet quality, and periodontal disease are critical problems in the United States, yet limited studies examine how these three conditions are related. Men and the Hispanic population suffer a disproportionate burden of periodontal disease and are understudied groups. Using NHANES data from 2015 to 2018 and the HEI-2015, this study describes the prevalence of men’s periodontitis and its association with food insecurity and diet quality. The final sample was 4,582 men, aged 30 years or older, of whom 1,130 were Hispanic. Odds ratios were calculated via multivariable logistic regression models. Very low food security significantly increased the …


Understanding And Incorporating Wearable Exoskeleton Design Acceptance Into The Construction And Manufacturing Industries By Evaluating Key Stakeholders Within An Enterprise Organization, Matthew Reese May 2024

Understanding And Incorporating Wearable Exoskeleton Design Acceptance Into The Construction And Manufacturing Industries By Evaluating Key Stakeholders Within An Enterprise Organization, Matthew Reese

Theses and Dissertations

Safety, quality, and production are critical factors that impact an enterprise organization’s success in industries where tasks are human-centered. One emerging area to help mitigate safety related concerns while enhancing quality and production is wearable technology. More specifically, studies have shown that wearable exoskeletons can prevent awkward posturing and excessive bending and reaching tasks. These are areas that can result in injuries and lost time for employees. While literature has shown that these devices can help prevent injuries and can assist employees with their job tasks, these devices are new, which can make critical stakeholders of an enterprise organization skeptical …


Generation Z’S Perceptions Of Public Sector Culture Moderate Their Aspirations Towards Public Service, Andrew S. Rendon May 2024

Generation Z’S Perceptions Of Public Sector Culture Moderate Their Aspirations Towards Public Service, Andrew S. Rendon

Theses and Dissertations

Within the next 15 years, a significantly large percentage of adults will exit the U.S. public sector workforce, taking their experience and knowledge with them. This considerable number of departures from the public sector workforce is expected to create a crisis of sorts for society as it grapples with how to ensure the public sector is not without its most important feature – public servants. The immediate crisis relates to how we, in record time, recruit and retain a new and highly qualified workforce that can quickly fill the gaps left by the exodus. Recently coming into their adult age, …


Preparing To Come Home, Not Recidivate: Juvenile Offenders' Perceptions Of The Juvenile Justice System, Robbie Kaitlyn Salters May 2024

Preparing To Come Home, Not Recidivate: Juvenile Offenders' Perceptions Of The Juvenile Justice System, Robbie Kaitlyn Salters

Theses and Dissertations

Crimes committed by juvenile offenders are a significant concern of society. In response to this concern, the juvenile justice system addresses juvenile crimes in a developmentally appropriate manner. The goal of the juvenile justice system is to rehabilitate juvenile offenders and steer them from a life of crime and toward becoming productive members of society. Yet, some juvenile offenders continue to offend. While research has explored juvenile offenders’ perceptions of juvenile delinquency, re-entry, and recidivism, less is known about how the detention center prepares juvenile offenders for re-entry. The following study explores the perceptions of detained juvenile offenders in a …


Maternal And Paternal Appearance-Related Pressure And Body Esteem In Emerging Adults: Moderation By Self Compassion And Gender, Alligrace Story May 2024

Maternal And Paternal Appearance-Related Pressure And Body Esteem In Emerging Adults: Moderation By Self Compassion And Gender, Alligrace Story

Theses and Dissertations

Previous research has shown that appearance-related pressures from multiple sources can influence body esteem in emerging adults. Furthermore, research has shown that self-compassion and gender play a role in body image and the relation between sociocultural pressures and body esteem. Less research has examined how these variables interact in their association with body esteem in emerging adults. Thus, the current study sought to assess these interactions. Participants (N = 877; 492 women) were primarily White (78.9% for women and 76.4% for men) and ranged in age from 18 to 28 (M = 18.70 for women and 19.10 for men). Participants …


Does Attendance In Head Start And Early Head Start Programs Influence Social And Emotional Development In Young Children?, Mary Elizabeth Thorne May 2024

Does Attendance In Head Start And Early Head Start Programs Influence Social And Emotional Development In Young Children?, Mary Elizabeth Thorne

Theses and Dissertations

Social and emotional development is a crucial domain of development that influences child outcomes. Apart from a child’s family, early care and education (ECE) programs offer opportunities to develop critical skills that promote academic achievement, emotion regulation, cognition, and literacy. There are achievement gaps in these areas when comparing children from low and high socioeconomic backgrounds, lending to the federal legislation to form Head Start and Early Head Start programs nationwide. While these programs have attendance mandates, the national attendance average is below the requirements, which may hinder the full benefits of Head Start and Early Head Start programs. Using …


Setting The Table: A Study Of Grassroots Organization Political Training Program And Black Women Interests To Run For Local Government., Adrian Shonna Tillman May 2024

Setting The Table: A Study Of Grassroots Organization Political Training Program And Black Women Interests To Run For Local Government., Adrian Shonna Tillman

Theses and Dissertations

The comparative study aims to assess the efficacy of grassroots organizations that provide political training programs for Black women to equip them for local office candidacy. An online survey was performed among alums to assess the influence of enrolling in these programs on participants' aspirations to pursue and actively run for local office. The alum survey comprised thirty-four questions to evaluate if Black women had obtained the essential abilities for political candidacy. The poll aims to determine the perceived strengths, problems, and opportunities for Black women participating in political leadership training programs. The surveys aimed to collect important information about …


Identity Status And Identity Style In The Emo Subculture: Exploring Identity Between Emo Vs. Non-Emo Emerging Adults, Melanie Rebekah Uggen May 2024

Identity Status And Identity Style In The Emo Subculture: Exploring Identity Between Emo Vs. Non-Emo Emerging Adults, Melanie Rebekah Uggen

Theses and Dissertations

Emerging adulthood can be viewed as a time of exploration and experimentation for college-aged adults (Arnett, 2000). As individuals begin trying on their possible selves as they explore personal identity, they can gravitate to peer groups that fit their interests. For some, that can mean being drawn to the emo subculture. This subculture focuses on its fashion, often based on dyed black hair, dark clothing, studded accessories, and black eyeliner (Chernoff & Widdicombe, 2015), centered around music with lyrics often interpreted as depressive or angst?ridden. Emo subculture has been subject to criticism and stereotypes, especially those with mental health themes …


A Day In The Life Of A Farm-Fluencer: Can Agriculturalists Change Public Perceptions Towards Agriculture By Using Social Media, Josey M. Webb May 2024

A Day In The Life Of A Farm-Fluencer: Can Agriculturalists Change Public Perceptions Towards Agriculture By Using Social Media, Josey M. Webb

Theses and Dissertations

As generations have moved away from the farm, the population has become less aware of the practices behind the agriculture industry. However, people are becoming interested in how their food is produced. Since most of the population has not received an agriculture education, they look towards social media as their source of information. Social media has become a platform for sharing opinions and knowledge on certain topics. It has also been studied the perceptions of others can be influenced by emotionalizing and repeating stories related to the topic. Farmers and ranchers are now sharing their knowledge and experiences regarding agriculture …


Selective Noise Cancelling Application For Misophonia Treatment, Timothy Wunrow May 2024

Selective Noise Cancelling Application For Misophonia Treatment, Timothy Wunrow

Theses and Dissertations

Misophonia is a sensory disorder where specific stimuli, usually auditory, trigger the fight-flight-freeze response, causing extreme reactions, typically anger, panic, or anxiety. Research into treatment for misophonia is limited, primarily consisting of case studies applying common methods of therapy. However, research into similar disorders like tinnitus shows that there are many avenues of treatment that should be investigated, including audiological treatment. To apply audiological treatment to misophonia, selective noise cancelling must be used to control specific trigger sounds. In this research, a basic selective noise cancelling algorithm was developed using a convolutional neural network and was evaluated using a survey. …


Theory, School Policy, And Practices In Education And Culture In A Classroom Setting For Minority Students, Philip Turner May 2024

Theory, School Policy, And Practices In Education And Culture In A Classroom Setting For Minority Students, Philip Turner

Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative case study investigates the discrepancies between theory, school policy, and practices within educational settings, particularly concerning minority students. Grounded in the persistent racial achievement gaps documented in educational literature, the study aims to understand the challenges and successful strategies for bridging these gaps. Drawing upon Critical Race Theory (CRT), Intergroup Contact Theory, and Stereotype Threat as conceptual frameworks, the research explores the experiences of eight participants through thematic analysis. Three overarching themes emerged: challenges aligning theories, policies, and practices; successful strategies for alignment; and unsuccessful strategies. Findings underscore the importance of culturally responsive curriculum, teacher professional development, student- …


The Cost Of Voting Categorized: A Comprehensive Review, Landon Brady Dec 2023

The Cost Of Voting Categorized: A Comprehensive Review, Landon Brady

Theses and Dissertations

The primary purpose of this paper is to analyze the research field of cost of voting and review the relevant literature on voter participation. After reviewing the literature, a development of a theoretical framework to categorize multiple variables associated with the cost of voting will be completed. The goal is to create clear, concise, and simple categories that define the cost of voting. This should add conceptual clarity to the field by linking variables into a common foundation. The research also connects the sociological and psychological category of intrapersonal to concepts of social group needs, sense of achieving a greater …


A Thematic Analysis Of Religious Identity And Volunteer Motivation Among Emerging Adult Members Of The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints, Jennifer R. Smith Dec 2023

A Thematic Analysis Of Religious Identity And Volunteer Motivation Among Emerging Adult Members Of The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints, Jennifer R. Smith

Theses and Dissertations

This study sought insight into the religious and cultural identity of emerging adults belonging to the Church of Jesus Christ of latter-day Saints(LDS) and the impact such identity had in relation to volunteering motivation. Participants included 24 emerging adult college students belonging to the Church. Thematic analysis was used to determine influencing factors that led to Church membership and how Church membership shaped self-perception. Participants shared volunteer experiences and motivation to volunteer in relation to Deci and Ryan’s (2000) self-determination theory (SDT) was examined. The motivation of relatedness was identified among 100% of participants as compared to competence (37.5%) and …


Exploring The Impact Of Extracurricular Activities On Adolescent Development: A Study Of Students Attending Schools In Poverty And Non-Poverty Areas, Clifton B. Thames Dec 2023

Exploring The Impact Of Extracurricular Activities On Adolescent Development: A Study Of Students Attending Schools In Poverty And Non-Poverty Areas, Clifton B. Thames

Theses and Dissertations

Previous literature has indicated a relationship between poverty, participation in extracurricular activities, and developmental outcomes. The current study aimed to investigate and develop a deeper understanding of extracurricular activities (ECAs) and their impacts on adolescent development using two self-report tools, the YES 2.0 and the Delinquent Attitude Scale (DAS). The researcher surveyed 174 high school seniors from students attending schools in poverty areas and students attending schools not located in poverty areas in Mississippi, examining disparities in ECA opportunities, barriers to participation, and the positive and negative impacts of ECAs on development. Additional data were collected from school administrators, allowing …


Does Mississippi School Principals’ Age, Race, Gender, Educational Attainment, Work Experience In Education, Or Evaluation Scores Influence Accountability Points?, Braxton Dywayne Stowe Dec 2023

Does Mississippi School Principals’ Age, Race, Gender, Educational Attainment, Work Experience In Education, Or Evaluation Scores Influence Accountability Points?, Braxton Dywayne Stowe

Theses and Dissertations

Traditional research agrees that only effective school principals can fully influence student achievement, and school leaders are pivotal to the success of schools in America. Researchers have linked positive student outcomes to further illustrate the point, including student achievement, to high-quality school leadership. The purpose of this study is to assist state and district education leaders in Mississippi in having a more profound knowledge of which principal demographics and characteristics are more directly correlated with the improvement of accountability scores or student achievement. The results of the correlational and regression analysis to determine the relationship between principal variables and the …


Evaluating The Greet-Stop-Prompt Intervention In Decreasing Racial Disparities In School Discipline, Alexandra Utley Dec 2023

Evaluating The Greet-Stop-Prompt Intervention In Decreasing Racial Disparities In School Discipline, Alexandra Utley

Theses and Dissertations

Exclusionary discipline practices are often considered to be generally ineffective and inequitable, however, they are one of the more common disciplinary practices used in schools today. Although there are many positive alternatives to school exclusion, there are limited disciplinary practices specifically intended to target discipline with racial equity in mind. The GREET-STOP-PROMPT (GSP) intervention, developed by Cook and colleagues (2018), is one intervention found in the literature explicitly created to reduce racial discipline disparities. Although there is currently limited research evaluating the GSP intervention, the results indicate it to be a potentially promising method of equitably addressing student behavior. The …


The Effects Of Intermittent Fasting On Female Athletes: A Systematic Review, Courtnie Scarbrough Dec 2023

The Effects Of Intermittent Fasting On Female Athletes: A Systematic Review, Courtnie Scarbrough

Theses and Dissertations

The intermittent fasting diet has a historical past, but recently, it has regained popularity as a weight loss strategy for the general public. Athletes have also picked up this specialized diet in search of a competitive edge. There are ample studies testing athletes of all levels, but most do not include females or report sex-specific results. This systematic review aimed to identify current research on the effects of intermittent fasting in the understudied population of female athletes. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, a comprehensive search was conducted in three databases, including PubMed, Cochrane, …